A Win is a Win.

The Red Sox got back on track with an uneven, ugly, but victorious night against the Devil Rays. Tony Massarotti says the Red Sox weren’t the better team last night, it was just that the Rays were a worse team. Paul Doyle says that the fans who stuck this one out were finally rewarded with a win in the end. David Borges says a win is a win. John Powers looks at the bats finally awakening for the Sox after taking the last two games off. Steven Krasner says that just about everyone, including six pitchers, had a role in this one for the Red Sox. Garry Brown also emphasizes the return of the bats for the Red Sox. Lenny Megliola says this was the ugliest win of the year.

Christopher Rowland reports on the Red Sox looking to add as many as 2000 seats to Fenway. Trot Nixon had a pair of doubles last night, and though he had to soak in cold water after the game, he says his quad is feeling good and he’s ready for the demands of the stretch run. Alex Speier, Steve Buckley and Ron Indrisano all have articles on the Red Sox outfielder. Jim Donaldson says we should be concerned about Red Sox pitching staff, especially after another shaky outing from Tim Wakefield. Dan Ventura also has a look at the outing by Wakefield. With Bill Mueller out once again, Paul Harber says that Kevin Youkilis is happy to get another chance to be in the everyday lineup. Buddy Thomas says Red Sox fans should keep their mouths shut. David Borges says the recent additions to the Red Sox cannot wait for their first taste of the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry this weekend. Ventura looks at the Sox selling out all 81 home games this season for the first time ever. Harber has a look at the Red Sox bullpen area, which while close to the fans, isn’t like the setup in Oakland where that ugly incident happened earlier this week.

Bill Mueller’s knee is the lead topic for most of the notebooks. Ok, all the notebooks, actually. Among his other items, Massarotti’s notebook has an update on Ellis Burks. Krasner’s notebook has a Scott Williamson update. Doyle’s notebook has some assorted pitching notes. Brown’s notebook looks at Bronson Arroyo’s hair. Borges’ notebook has more on the sellout streak. Powers’ notebook looks at Curt Schilling going for number 20 tonight.

Michael Felger’s Patriots Insider has a look at Tom Brady and the Patriots late game heroics. He also mentions Keith Traylor dealing with the death of his brother, and Richard Seymour being a non-factor against the Colts. Alan Greenberg looks at punt and kickoff returns being an area of concern for the Patriots. Mike Reiss says the Patriots are expecting to see a lot of three-wideout sets from the Cardinals on Sunday. Nick Cafardo says the Patriots are not expecting a pushover on Sunday. Felger looks at the dearth of game film available on these Cardinals, which presents a bit of a preparation problem for Belichick and the rest of the Patriots coaching staff.

Michael Parente and Kevin McNamara look at Arizona running back Emmitt Smith who just keeps going on, having rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries last week. Bill Reynolds has a look at the Patriots running back, Corey Dillon, who is glad to put all things Cincinnati behind him. Chris Kennedy looks at former UMass running back Marcel Shipp who is on injured reserve for the Cardinals and in the process of rehabbing from a broken fibula. Christopher Price says the Patriots expect a big tribute to Pat Tillman on Sunday.

Cafardo’s notebook reports on the Patriots not purchasing “cooling” pads for the players…these pads were used for the first time on Monday night by the Packers, who are the only team trying them out. He also has Dennis Green remembering his former player at Northwestern, Channel 4’s Steve Burton. Felger’s notebook looks at the Patriots receivers being praised by Green, and Ty Law avoiding the injury report. McNamara’s notebook says that both teams will honor Tillman on Sunday.

As expected the NHL lockout began last night. Mick Colageo has probably the best article this morning on what this is all about and what the problems both sides have with the current arrangement. Kevin Paul Dupont also reports on the issues and situation. Stephen Harris looks at what NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has to say about the future of the league. Douglas Flynn looks at Bettman’s claims that this is being done for the fans. Nancy Marrapese-Burrell also has a report on the lockout.